EP Review: Faces Are Hard To Find // Pilot Run
Pilot Run was formed in 2018 (give or take), but the true connection of this UK-based trio was discovered years before. Meeting at school, Bruce Teatheredge (vocals and guitar), Matt Curd (bass and backing vocals) and Craig Thompson (drums) began jamming after lessons playing “a lot of Nirvana”. Fast-forward to 2021 and you have the lads sharing original material with the masses. A melodic metal meets alternative rock with some indie-rock undertones, Pilot Run have an intriguing and entertaining sound. The latest EP from this talented trio is Faces Are Hard To Find.
Recorded with Tom Donovan at Tom Donovan Studios in Colchester, Faces Are Hard To Find is a five-track record filled with power, punch and passion. A fan of late-90s/early-2000s rock music, this is a real treat for my ears. Bringing together the sound of Foo Fighters, My Chemical Romance, Slipknot, Stone Sour and Queens of the Stone Age, Pilot Run pull you kicking and screaming to the days of emo, pop-punk and old-school alternative rock. It’s one hell of a ride!
Moving from the steady ‘Among The Dead’ to the more frenzied ‘Bauta’ and soothing ‘Coloured Lines’, Pilot Run showcase their versatility and innovativeness as artists. Pounding drums accompany dynamic guitars with Bruce’s bold vocals rounding off the EP. What I find particularly intriguing is how Faces Are Hard To Find both places you in a swirl of sound and anchors you with the compelling melodies. Despite the spirited nature of the record, there is a harmonic flow that is evocative and provocative.
Yes, there are strong similarities to American rock groups; however, Pilot Run hold true to their UK roots with the indie-rock influence. Think Liam Gallagher’s English inflexion atop a Stone Sour melody and you might have an idea of Bruce’s rich, robust vocals. Described as a thematic EP focusing on identity, the tracks are not only melodically emotional but have a lingering poignancy with soul-stirring lyricism.
Overall, I enjoy everything about Faces Are Hard To Find. Perhaps this is because of the similarities to some of my favourite bands, but I am not so sure. Sophisticated and mature, Pilot Run both triggers the love for pop-punk and metal groups while retaining unique, distinctive originality. I absolutely adore this!